Volumetric filler system for flexible resilient bottles

ABSTRACT

Ordinary filler mechanisms do not fill plastic bottles satisfactorily. Plastic bottles by virtue of their flexible and expansible characteristics will accept more fluid than they will contain when unstressed. Thus when a plastic bottle separates from an ordinary filler mechanism, the fluid gushes out upon separation. The present system sucks back a predetermined quantity of fluid from the bottle before the bottle separates so that the proper volume of fluid is contained in the bottle. The present system does this with a simple mechanism.

'Tinsley 141/114 X United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,756,290 Cl eland etal. 1 Sept. 4, 1973 VOLUMETRIC FILLER SYSTEM FOR 3,578,038 5/1971Burford TT 3,626,996 12 1971 Bingham FLEXBLE RESILIENT Bo LES 3,630,24212/1971 Schieser..... [75] Inventors: Keith B Cleland, Whittier,Ca1if.-; 3,674,060 7/1972 Ruekberg 141 /1 14 X Sim), Haclenda HelghtsFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 h 107,480 7/1917 Great Britain 141/37[73] Assignee: Keith B. Cle1and,Trustee;by said 841,465 5/1939 France141/37 v Straub 968,900 4/1958 985,030 31/1965 P119111 2, 1971 1,203,14810/1965 Germany 141/5 21 Appl. N6.= 204,174 Primary Examiner-Wayne A.Morse, Jr.

, Attorney-Flam & Flam [52] U'.S.'Cl 141/5, 141/37, 141/114,

441/148, 131/275, 141/392 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. B6511 37/02, B76c3/34, B67d 5/02 [58] Field of Search 1415 114 I48 Ordinary fillermechamsms'do not fill plastic bottles "141/275 satisfactorily. Plasticbottles by virtue of their flexible I v I i and expansiblecharacteristics will accept more t:1t r ij; 1 [56] e Cited than theywill contain when unstressed. Thus when a plastic bottle separates froman ordinary filler mecha- UNITED STATES ATE nism, the fluid gushes outupon separation. The present X ystem sucks back a predetermined quantityof 0 141/148 from the bottle before the bottle separates so that thepropervolume' of fluid is contained in the bottle. The 3 177 906 4/1965ney'r' i'aiserg... 141/5 Present system 1 this. with simple mechanism-3,49- 1,803 1/1970 Gaiik 141/114 1 Claims, 14 Drawing Figum 3,530,9289/1970 Swinney, 141/14sx I 3,533,454 10/1970 PATENTEDSEP 4 m I saw 1 or5 PATENTEDSEP 41m v v sum 30? 5 290 F I V 190.6.

PAIENTEDSEP 4 i973 SHEET 5 OF 5 wm w ww VOLUMETRIC FILLER SYSTEM FORFLEXIBLE RESILIENT BOTTLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to mass production apparatus forfilling containers with fluid. A commonly used arrangement is one inwhich a plurality of valve mechanisms are mounted beneath a rotarysupply bowl. The valve mechanism is normally closed but moved to open bythe contact of a bottle which is moved upwardly by a lifting mechanism.

More particularly, this invention relates to a system for fillingflexible resilient containers with fluids that expand due to fluidpressures. Such containers, gorged with fluid tend to splash back at themoment of separation from the filling apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The object of every container fillersystem is to fill the container to a controlled optimum level in asrapid a time as possible, to fill without causing foam or waste, and tofill with the simplest possible mechanism. Every filler system makesprovision for moving air out of the container as the fluid enters, as byproviding a vent that extends through the filler spout.

Plastic bottles can and do expand as they are filled with fluid. Suchbottles, ballooned under the influence of fluid pressure, tend to returnto normal configuration upon separation from the filler mechanism andthe source of filling pressure. The result is splashing and overflowunless the bottle is filled only partially.

Several attempts have been made to solve the problem and to fill plasticbottles to a controlled level. However, until the advent of the presentinvention, there have been no practical solutions. Either the previouslyproposed mechanisms are complicated or they materially slow down thefilling operation.

Fluids that foam, such as milk and orange juice, create additional.problems. One problem is that foam builds up creating a substantial backpressure to the inflow of fluid. Consequently the speed of the totalfilling apparatus must be slowed down to ensure filling of the bottle.Otherwise the fill level could not be controlled. In order to solve thisproblem, it has heretofore been proposed to subject the vent to a vacuumor negative pressure. U.S. Letters Patent to Robbins, No. 3,460,590,issued Aug. 12, 1959 and to Risser, No. 2,639,077 issued May 19, I953,disclose such an arrangement. As the bottle first engages the valveactuator, the interior of the bottle is subject to vacuum thus toeliminate back pressure allowing incoming fluid to move at a higher rateof speed. Foam is yet generated in the filling process. This foam tendsto create a back pressure, decreasing the flow rate. Robbins seeks onesolution which is to prevent or minimize the formation of foam at thevery outset. This he does (or hopes to do) by controlling the angularityand location of valve components. While helpful, foam still forms. Butthere is still the overriding problem if the bottle is plastic andchanges volume with pressure. Risser is unconcerned with that problem.

' Alater U.S. Fat. to Risser, No. 3,589,414 claims to be capable ofcontrolling'the level of fluid fill as to compensate for the resilientcharacteristics of a plastic bottle. This is accomplished by cutting offthe flow to the filling stem some time prior to the removal of thefilling stem by means of the adjustable cam". This operation is notaltogether clear. In any event, control is achieved by timing, which isnecessarily inexact. Moreover, the Risser structure is highlycomplicated, requiring distributor valves and recirculating or wastingoverflow fluid. A recirculating system for potable fluids such as milkis often prohibited by law in many jurisdictions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an atmosphericfiller system that quickly fills the container to a predetermined level;that separates without splashing despite the plastic or flexible andresilient characteristics of the bottles; that does not recycle thefluid; that contains only a few simple parts that are easily cleaned andmaintained.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to accomplish the foregoingobject with the use of an atmospheric as distinguished from a vacuumvent, control is achieved by completely filling the bottle to eliminateall air; then, just in advance of separation, creating a closed systemin which the bottle forms only a part, then expanding the volume ofother part of that closed system whereby the bottle is reduced in volumeto a controlled, near normal configuration. Separation subsequentlytakes place without splashing. To create an air-space in the neck of thebottle, enough fluid is withdrawn to create a negative pressure whereby,upon separation, the bottleslightly expands to a controlled degree,sucking in just the right amount of air.

If the plastic container has been manufactured to reasonably closetolerances to compensate for the foregoing filling action, then itsinitial expansion is a function of the hydrostatic head which can bereadily controlled. Before separation, the volume of fluid withdrawnfrom the container can also be controlled by suitable selection ofmechanism components. All variables being controlled, the resultachieved by the pres ent invention is a true volumetric fill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION The followingdetailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode(s) ofcarrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in alimiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention since the scope of the invention isbest defined by the appended claims.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a' stainless steel bowl I0 supplied with fluidby the. aid of a conduit 12. The bowl has a plurality of equiangularlyspaced openings in its bottom wall at each of which gravity filler valveassemblies 14 are installed. The filler valves project beneath the bowlfor cooperation with bottles 16. A feed mechanism delivers the bottlesto a revolving lifter table mechanism 18 that carries the bottles abouta circular course. A conveyor mechanism receives'the bottles at the endof the circular course.

The bowl is supported in a known manner so as to revolve in step withthe lifter table mechanism. During the circular course of movement ofthe bottles, the bottles are filled to a controlled level by the fillervalves 14. The bowl 10 communicates with atmosphere by a vent 19. All ofthe tiller valves are identical. One is shown in detail in FIG. 2.

The valve is shown in FIG. 2 in its closed position. The valve includesa receiver cup 20 fastened to and depending from the bottom of the bowl10. Fluid unrestrictedly passes into the cup 20. Fluid then passes intoan antechamber provided by a cylinder or pump cup 22. In the closedposition shown, fluid leaks into this pump cup 22 via an annular port 24defined on the outside by a hole 26 in the bottom of the receiver cup 20and on the inside by a tubular post 28. The post 28 extends axiallythrough the hole 26. Flow in the closed position is reduced to mereleakage by a closure or throttle ring 30 that moves into and out of theannular port 24. However flow can be increased for bottle fillingjunctions hereinafter described. For this purpose, the closure orthrottle ring 30 is mounted on the cylinder cup 22 which in turn isaxially or vertically movable. The ring 30 is mounted on feet 32 (seealso FIG. 3) that extend upwardly from the bottom of the cylinder cup.The cylinder cup 22 telescopes over the exterior surface of the receivercup 20 whereby it is guided for reciprocating movement. An O-ring 34provides a seal between the cups 20 and 22. The cup 22 is also guided bya reduced cylindrical spout 36 depending from the bottom of the cup 22.This spout 36 slidably fits the lower end of the post 28.

When the cylinder cup is moved upwardly, the ring 30 correspondinglymoves and clears the upper edge of hole 26 and thus opens the annularport 24. In practice, the ring need serve only as a restriction ratherthan as a seal. The cup is urged to a lower limited position indicatedin FIG. 2 in which the ring 30 is axially centered at the port 24. e

The lower limited position of the cylinder cup 22 is determined byengagement of the lower edge of the spout 36 with a frusto-conical plug38 fitted into the lower end of the post 28. An O-ring 40, resting on anupwardly facing shoulder 42 of the conical plug 38 is contacted by thelower edge of the spout 36 and forms a positive seal, stopping outwardflow of fluid from the pump cup 22.

The cylinder or pump cup 22 is urged downwardly by a coil spring 44 thatsurrounds the post 28. The spring is located in the upper receiver cup20. The lower end of the spring 44 engages the closure or throttle ring30. Its upper end engages a hollow sleeve or hub 46 located in the bowl10 which is supported by a spider 48. The sleeve or hub 46 detachablysupports the post 28 as by the aid of a pin 50.

As the lower cup 22 is moved upwardly (by means hereinafter to bedescribed), the fluid in the cup 22 is compressed. The displaced fluidis forced through clearance spaced, one of which is the clearance spacebetween the ring 30 and the hole 26. Another clearance space forms asthe spout 36 lifts away from the O- ring 40. An unrestrictedcommunication to the lower end of the spout is formed by a conduit 52 onone side of the post 28. The upper end of the conduit 52 is exposed atall times to the interior of the lower cup 22 and the lower end of theconduit 52 opens beneath the spout 36 when the cup 22 is sufficientlylifted. The conduit 52 is formed by a septum or partition 54 in thelower end of the post 28. The septum terminates at its lower end at thetop of the plug 38 and at its upper end in a generally semi-circularwall 56 which may be formed integrally with the septum. The post 28 iscut away, as at 59 so as to laterally expose the conduit 52. In theclosed position of FIG. 2 the conduit 52 does not unrestrictedlycommunicate with the upper receiver cup 20. Thus the upper end of theconduit 52 terminates below the ring 30.

The post 28 forms a vent 58 on the side opposite the conduit 52 asindicated in FIG. 3. The vent opens laterally at the bottom of the post28 by the aid of a slot 60 (FIG. 2). The slot 60 is so located that itslowermost edge 62 is above the bottom of the conduit 52 whereby, forpurposes to be presently described, the fluid conduit 52 opens at thespout 36 before the vent 58 opens and closes after the vent 58 closes.

In order to lift the cylinder cup 22, a plastic bottle B (FIG. 4) havingresilient characteristics is moved upwardly by the lifter mechanism. Theneck N of the bottle surrounds the plug 38 at the bottom of the post 28and over the spout 36. The lip L engages a sealing disk 64 interposedbetween the lip and the bottom of the cylinder cup 22. The operation isas follows:

As the bottle moves upwardly, a seal between the bottle B and cup 22 isestablished as shown in FIG. 4. Upon continued movement, the lower endof conduit 52 opens (FIG. 5). The fluid in cup 22 is forced through thespout and through clearances at the cup hole 26. As the bottle continuesits upward movement, the lower edge of the ring 30 (FIG. 6) approachesthe upper edge of the hole 26. At the same time, the lower edge of thespout 36 approaches the lower edge of vent orifice 60. In the positionof FIG. 7, the upper cup 20 is now in unrestricted communication withthe lower cup 22 through the annular space 24 and the upper end of theconduit'52. The vent 58 also opens. Fluid now flows downwardly throughthe lower cup 22 and the spout 36 via conduit 52. The lower edge of thespout 36 is lifted sufficiently from the O-ring to allow flow into theneck of the bottle B.

Entrapped air in the bottle B is now compressed by incoming fluid andvents through slot 60. Any fluid in the vent stack is correspondinglyforced upwardly. By virtue of the offset orientation of the vent 58 andits relatively large size, fluid in the vent 58 may flow downwardlyalong one side while air flows upwardly along the other. The full openposition is illustrated in FIG. 8. In the position of parts illustratedin FIG. 8, the fluid fills the bottle to the brim with foam running upthe vent stack 58. Fluid follows, pushing foam ahead of it.

The bottle B is now permitted to be pushed downwardly by the spring 44in accordance with the cam characteristics of the lifter mechanism. Theclosure or throttle ring 30 approaches closed position (FIG. 9). At thesame time spout 36 approaches the lower end of the vent slot 60. At thisjuncture, the bottle B is expanded beyond its normal size due to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the bowl 10.

The flow is then stopped or restricted by entry of the ring 30 into theport 24 (FIG. 10) and the vent slot 60 is then closed. At this timethere is neither foam nor air in the bottle B. The bottle B and thecylinder cup 22 now form a closed system with the bottle B and thecylinder or pump cup 22 in communication with each other via the conduit52. As the pump cup 22 continues to move downwardly, its volume ofcourse increases. Consequently fluid is sucked up from the bottle B backto the cup 22 (FIG. 11). The bottle B continues to contract as fluid issucked from it by the cup 22 until com- -munication is interrupted byengagement of the spout 36 with the O-ring 40 at the lower end of thepost 28 (FIG. 12).

By controlling the size and shape of the bottle B and by controlling thestroke of the pump cup 22, it is obviously possible to determine howmuch fluid is sucked back into the antechamber formed by the cup 22.This may be done by locating the pin 50 in any one of a number of holesin the hub 46.

The mechanism is designed so that in the position of FIG. 12 preparatoryto separation, the bottle B is slightly constricted so that it willexpand slightly upon separation. Thus in the position of FIG. 12, thereis a slight negative pressure in the bottle B. In the position of FIG.13, only a kiss contact remains between the lip L of the bottle B andthe pad 64. Air begins to leak into the bottle past the lip L. Thebottle is man equilibrium or near equilibrium state at the time ofseparation (FIG. 14). The liquid level is accurately established closeto the top. There is no foam in the bottle because the foam was pushedout long before. Any fluid in the vent is trapped. This is a directreturn path which is enclosed within the mechanism itself.

The mechanism is extremely simple and reliable, and most important, easyto service and clean. By removing the pin 50, the post 28 drops away.The cup 22 and spring 44 can then be removed.

Intending to claim all novel, useful and unobvious features shown ordescribed,

We claim:

1. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supplybowl, the flexible bottles having a normal unstressed configuration ofnominal volume, said process comprising the following steps:

a. positioning the bottle for interposition in a fluid circuitcomprising a supply conduit part connected to the bowl and a ventconduit part opening above the bowl:

b. establishing .the said fluid circuit by opening valve means wherebythe bottle and vent conduit part both fill with fluid, whereby foam, ifany, is pushed up the vent stack, and whereby said bottle is stressed toassume a configura-tion of excess volume;

c. thereafter establishing a closed or substantially closed fluid systemin which said bottle or at least one of said conduits forms a part;

d. expanding said one of said fluid conduits while the said closed fluidsystem exists in order to shift fluid to contract the bottle so that itat least approximately assumes said nominal volume configuration:

e. thereafter isolating the bottle from said fluid system preparatory toseparation of said bottle; and

f. thereafter separating the bottle.

2. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the said volume shift iscontrolled to impart a slight negative pressure upon said bottle wherebyambient air enters the bottle as the bottle separates.

3. The process as set forth in claim 1 including the step of subjectingsaid bowl to atmospheric pressure.

4. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supplybowl vented to atmosphere, which comprises the following steps:

a. allowing fluid to flow from said bowl to an antechamber substantiallyto fill the antechamber;

b. thereafter establishing a connection between the lower end of saidantechamber and the bottle;

0. opening a vent stack to the top of the bottle;

d. opening the antechamber to the bowl for gravity refilling thereof asthe contents of the antechamber discharge into said bottle;

e. allowing the bottle to fill completely as the fluid level rises inthe vent stack;

f. substantially closing the vent and the communication between the bowland the said antechamber to establish a substantially closed system inwhich the antechamber and said bottle form communicating P g. expandingthe volume of the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle arein communcation as parts of a substantially closed system;

h. thereby shifting the volume of fluid between said parts to cause saidbottle to assume a normal or near normal configuration;

i. substantially interrupting communication between said bottle andsaid-antechamber; and separating the mechanical'connection between thebottle and the antechamber.

5. The process as set forth in claim 4 in which the volume shift betweensaid antechamber and bottle parts is controlled whereby a slightnegative pressure is imposed upon said bottle in advance of separation.

6. In a system for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for containing fluid to be admitted to the bottles;

b. means venting the bowl to atmosphere; one or more gravity tillervalves attached to the bottom of the bowl, each filler valve includingi. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from the bowl; saidantechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with abottle;

ii. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluidtherein;

iii. means operable upon connection between the bottle and theantechamber for opening the vent and opening said outlet forunrestricted passage of fluid into the bottle and into the vent;

iv. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent andthe antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber andsaid bottle;

v. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber andsaid bottle form a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluidis sucked back into said antechamber; and

vi. means for closing the communication between said antechamber andsaid bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

7.' In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for fluid and open to atmosphere;

b. the bottom of said bowl having a plurality of discharge openings;

c. a filler valve installed at each of said discharge openings;

d. a bottle lifter mechanish for moving a bottle upwardly to engage itsfiller valve and thereafter to disengage its filler valve;

e. each filler valve comprising i. a vent post extending above the levelof fluid in the bowl and having a lower end positioned beneath the bowlto enter the neck of a bottle;

ii. a cup surrounding the post and mounted for movement upwardly anddownwardly along the post;

iii. said cup having a spout part engagable with the lower end of saidpost to close said spout and to limit downward movement of said cup;

iv. the lower end of said cup being engagable by the bottle for liftingthe cup;

v. resilient means urging the cup downwardly to cause said spout toengage the lower end of said post;

vi. relatively stationary wall means forming with the interior of saidcup, an expansible chamber that increases in volume as the cup movestoward said downward limit;

vii. means operable upon continued upward movement of the cup first, toopen said vent to a place on said post surrounded by the bottle neck andsecond, to open the cup to relatively unrestricted flow communicationwith said bowl; said means upon reverse continued downward movement ofsaid cup first, restricting the communication between said cup and saidbowl, second, closing the vent to establish a closed volume systembetween the bottle and the cup whereby, upon still further movement ofthe cup, said cup increases in volume to suck fluid from the bottlebefore the spout finally closes.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said cupcommunicates with said spout via a recessed conduit formed in said post,said vent opening in the side of the post opposite the conduit and beingcontrolled by the edge of said spout. I

9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said means to openthe cup to relatively unrestricted movement comprises a throttle orclosure ring that moves relative to an aperture in said wall means.

10. In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for containing fluid, and opening to atmosphere;

b. a plurality of receiver cups attached to and suspended from the bowland in uninterrupted communication with the bowl; the bottom of each ofsaid receiver cups having a central opening;

c. a tubular vent post for each receiver cup, and supported by the bowlto extend downwardly through the opening in the bottom of thecorresponding receiver cup, and upwardly beyond the normal level offluid in the bowl;

d. a companion cylinder cup for each receiver cup and telescopicallyaccommodated on the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, each ofsaid cylinder cups having a central opening in its bottom surrounded bya depending cylindrical spout slidably fitted over the bottom of thecorresponding vent post, each of said cylinder cups being engageablefrom below by a bottle to lift the cylinder cup. each 6 communicationbetween the companion cups or for establishing relatively unrestrictedcommunication therebetween all in accordance with the axial position ofthe cylinder cup on the corresponding receiver cup;

e. each of said vent posts having a plug at its lever end forming a stopand closure for the corresponding cylinder cup spout; the ring being inthrottle or closure position at the stop position of said cylinder cup,each of said vent posts having a lateral recess for establishing adischarge path from said cylinder cup 'past the spout as the cylindercup member is raised, and each of said vent posts having a vent openingopposite the corresponding recess that opens only after upward movementof the corresponding cylinder cup beyond a position corresponding toopening of said discharge path;

f. each cylinder cup forming a part of a substantially closed volumesystem by operation of said closure ring upon return movement of thecylinder cup toward its lower limited position and when said vent isclosed, whereby continued downward movement of said cylinder cup sucksfluid from said bottle in an amount sufficient to establish asubstantially normal bottle configuration in advance of separation ofsaid bottle from said cylinder cup.

11. A gravity filler valve for bottles and adapted to be attached to afluid-containing bowl:

a. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from a bowl; saidantechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with thebottle;

b. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluidtherein;

c. means operable upon connection between the bottle and the antechamberfor opening the vent and opening said outlet for unrestricted passage offluid into the bottle and into the vent;

d. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent andthe antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber andsaid bottle;

e. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber andsaid bottle from a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluidis sucked back into said antechamber; and

f. means for closing the communication between said antechamber and saidbottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 1 1 in which said vent isformed on one side of said outlet and is of sufficient size to allowfluid to run down one side of the vent while air rises on the other sideof the vent.

13. A gravity filler valve for bottles, including:

a. a substantially tubular post having provisions for attachment to abowl so that the upper end of the post extends above the level of fluidin the bowl and so that the lower end of the post projects beneath thebowl for cooperation with bottles positioned about the post;

b. means partitioning only the lower end of said post so that the lowerend of said post is divided into an influent side and an effluent orvent side; said post having lateral openings to expose both saidinfluent side and said effluent side;

c. means providing a pathway between said influent side and said bowl;

d. valve actuator means reciprocably mounted at the lower end of saidpost for controlling communicasaid influent side of said post istruncated in axial length to minimize the corresponding length of thereduced portion of the effluent side.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said valveactuator means also controls the communication between said bottle andsaid effluent side.

I! I i '9 l UNTTEn STATES PATENT oTTTcT; CERTIFCATE 0F CQRECHQN PatentNo. 3 1 Dated September 4 1973 Inventor(s) KEITH B. CLELAND. and ROY H.STRAUB It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Claim 1, Column 5, line 51, change "configura-tion" to c-onfigura tionClaim 6 Column 6 line 41 before the word "one" insert c.

Claim 10 Column 8 .line 6 change "lever" to lower-.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of November 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

: EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTEMEYR Attestlng Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents F ORM PO-1050 (19-69) USCOMM-DC 6O37 6-P69 u.s.sovznumsm PRINTING o nc: 1969 O-366-334

1. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supplybowl, the flexible bottles having a normal unstressed configuration ofnominal volume, said process comprising the following steps: a.positioning the bottle for interposition in a fluid circuit comprising asupply conduit part connected to the bowl and a vent conduit partopening above the bowl: b. establishing the said fluid circuit byopening valve means whereby the bottle and vent conduit part both fillwith fluid, whereby foam, if any, is pushed up the vent stack, andwhereby said bottle is stressed to assume a configura-tion of excessvolume; c. thereafter establishing a closed or substantially closedfluid system in which said bottle or at least one of said conduits formsa part; d. expanding said one of said fluid conduits while the saidclosed fluid system exists in order to shift fluid to contract thebottle so that it at least approximately assumes said nominal volumeconfiguration; e. thereafter isolating the bottle from said fluid systempreparatory to separation of said bottle; and f. thereafter separatingthe bottle.
 2. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the saidvolume shift is controlled to impart a slight negative pressure uponsaid bottle whereby ambient air enters the bottle as the bottleseparates.
 3. The process as set forth in claim 1 including the step ofsubjecting said bowl to atmospheric pressure.
 4. In a process forfilling flexible bottles with fluid from a supply bowl vented toatmosphere, which comprises the following steps: a. allowing fluid toflow from said bowl to an antechamber substantially to fill theantechamber; b. thereafter establishing a connection between the lowerend of said antechamber and the bottle; c. opening a vent stack to thetop of the bottle; d. opening the antechamber to the bowl for gravityrefilling thereof as the contents of the antechamber discharge into saidbottle; e. allowing the bottle to fill completely as the fluid levelrises in the vent stack; f. substantially closing the vent and thecommunication between the bowl and the said antechamber to establish asubstantially closed system in which the antechamber and said bottleform communicating parts; g. expanding the volume of the antechamberwhile said antechamber and said bottle are in communcation as parts of asubstantially closed system; h. thereby shifting the volume of fluidbetween said parts to cause said bottle to assume a normal or nearnormal configuration; i. substantially interrupting communicationbetween said bottle and said antechamber; and separating the mechanicalcOnnection between the bottle and the antechamber.
 5. The process as setforth in claim 4 in which the volume shift between said antechamber andbottle parts is controlled whereby a slight negative pressure is imposedupon said bottle in advance of separation.
 6. In a system for fillingflexible bottles with fluid: a. a bowl for containing fluid to beadmitted to the bottles; b. means venting the bowl to atmosphere; one ormore gravity filler valves attached to the bottom of the bowl, eachfiller valve including i. means forming an antechamber for receivingfluid from the bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outletsealingly cooperable with a bottle; ii. means forming a vent adjacentsaid outlet for passage of fluid therein; iii. means operable uponconnection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the ventand opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into thebottle and into the vent; iv. means operable upon filling of said bottlefor closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed systembetween the antechamber and said bottle; v. means operable to expand theantechamber while said antechamber and said bottle form a substantiallyclosed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into saidantechamber; and vi. means for closing the communication between saidantechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle. 7.In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid: a. a bowl forfluid and open to atmosphere; b. the bottom of said bowl having aplurality of discharge openings; c. a filler valve installed at each ofsaid discharge openings; d. a bottle lifter mechanish for moving abottle upwardly to engage its filler valve and thereafter to disengageits filler valve; e. each filler valve comprising i. a vent postextending above the level of fluid in the bowl and having a lower endpositioned beneath the bowl to enter the neck of a bottle; ii. a cupsurrounding the post and mounted for movement upwardly and downwardlyalong the post; iii. said cup having a spout part engagable with thelower end of said post to close said spout and to limit downwardmovement of said cup; iv. the lower end of said cup being engagable bythe bottle for lifting the cup; v. resilient means urging the cupdownwardly to cause said spout to engage the lower end of said post; vi.relatively stationary wall means forming with the interior of said cup,an expansible chamber that increases in volume as the cup moves towardsaid downward limit; vii. means operable upon continued upward movementof the cup first, to open said vent to a place on said post surroundedby the bottle neck and second, to open the cup to relativelyunrestricted flow communication with said bowl; said means upon reversecontinued downward movement of said cup first, restricting thecommunication between said cup and said bowl, second, closing the ventto establish a closed volume system between the bottle and the cupwhereby, upon still further movement of the cup, said cup increases involume to suck fluid from the bottle before the spout finally closes. 8.The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said cup communicateswith said spout via a recessed conduit formed in said post, said ventopening in the side of the post opposite the conduit and beingcontrolled by the edge of said spout.
 9. The combination as set forth inclaim 7 in which said means to open the cup to relatively unrestrictedmovement comprises a throttle or closure ring that moves relative to anaperture in said wall means.
 10. In apparatus for filling flexiblebottles with fluid: a. a bowl for containing fluid, and opening toatmosphere; b. a plurality of receiver cups attached to and suspendedfrom the bowl and in uninterrupted communication with the bowl; thebottom of each of said receiver cups having a central opening; c. atubuLar vent post for each receiver cup, and supported by the bowl toextend downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the correspondingreceiver cup, and upwardly beyond the normal level of fluid in the bowl;d. a companion cylinder cup for each receiver cup and telescopicallyaccommodated on the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, each ofsaid cylinder cups having a central opening in its bottom surrounded bya depending cylindrical spout slidably fitted over the bottom of thecorresponding vent post, each of said cylinder cups being engageablefrom below by a bottle to lift the cylinder cup, each of said cylindercups having a throttle or closure ring working in the bottom opening ofthe corresponding receiver cup for alternately restricting communicationbetween the companion cups or for establishing relatively unrestrictedcommunication therebetween all in accordance with the axial position ofthe cylinder cup on the corresponding receiver cup; e. each of said ventposts having a plug at its lever end forming a stop and closure for thecorresponding cylinder cup spout; the ring being in throttle or closureposition at the stop position of said cylinder cup, each of said ventposts having a lateral recess for establishing a discharge path fromsaid cylinder cup past the spout as the cylinder cup member is raised,and each of said vent posts having a vent opening opposite thecorresponding recess that opens only after upward movement of thecorresponding cylinder cup beyond a position corresponding to opening ofsaid discharge path; f. each cylinder cup forming a part of asubstantially closed volume system by operation of said closure ringupon return movement of the cylinder cup toward its lower limitedposition and when said vent is closed, whereby continued downwardmovement of said cylinder cup sucks fluid from said bottle in an amountsufficient to establish a substantially normal bottle configuration inadvance of separation of said bottle from said cylinder cup.
 11. Agravity filler valve for bottles and adapted to be attached to afluid-containing bowl: a. means forming an antechamber for receivingfluid from a bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outletsealingly cooperable with the bottle; b. means forming a vent adjacentsaid outlet for passage of fluid therein; c. means operable uponconnection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the ventand opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into thebottle and into the vent; d. means operable upon filling of said bottlefor closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed systembetween the antechamber and said bottle; e. means operable to expand theantechamber while said antechamber and said bottle from a substantiallyclosed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into saidantechamber; and f. means for closing the communication between saidantechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said vent isformed on one side of said outlet and is of sufficient size to allowfluid to run down one side of the vent while air rises on the other sideof the vent.
 13. A gravity filler valve for bottles, including: a. asubstantially tubular post having provisions for attachment to a bowl sothat the upper end of the post extends above the level of fluid in thebowl and so that the lower end of the post projects beneath the bowl forcooperation with bottles positioned about the post; b. meanspartitioning only the lower end of said post so that the lower end ofsaid post is divided into an influent side and an effluent or vent side;said post having lateral openings to expose both said influent side andsaid effluent side; c. means providing a pathway between said influentside and said bowl; d. valve actuator means reciprocably mounted at thelower end of said post for controlling communication between a bottleand saId influent side whereby fluid entering the bottle flows along oneside thereof as air and foam, if any, is vented along the other sidethereof.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in which thecross-sectional area of the lower end of the effluent side is about thesame size as said influent side.
 15. The combination as set forth inclaim 13 in which said influent side of said post is truncated in axiallength to minimize the corresponding length of the reduced portion ofthe effluent side.
 16. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in whichsaid valve actuator means also controls the communication between saidbottle and said effluent side.